Brioche French Toast Casserole

What is Brioche?

Brioche is a type of French bread made with an enriched dough which makes it slightly sweet in flavor as well as fluffy and soft in texture. Thanks to its high egg and butter content, it has a golden brown, flaky crust that is rich in flavor. Brioche bread is described as light and pillowy and is a delicious bread to use in both sweet and savory dishes.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Brioche French toast bake gives you classic French toast flavors with less effort and is baked in one pan. Here's even more to love:

• Easy breakfast recipe: Make a delicious breakfast without standing over the stove all morning.
• Bake it now or later: You have the choice to soak the bread for 30 minutes or up to overnight. Make it and bake it when you're ready.
• Start a family tradition: This easy breakfast casserole is perfect to make for any special occasion or holiday brunch. We love to make this for Christmas morning breakfast.

How to Make Brioche French Toast Casserole

You will love the simplicity of this decadent French toast casserole with brioche. Put it all together in the evening and simply throw it in the oven the next morning. With simple ingredients and easy to follow steps, the whole family will love this meal.

Step 1: Chop the brioche loaf of bread evenly into 1-inch-wide cubes.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs together then whisk in the rest of the ingredients.

Step 3: Butter or spray the bottom of the baking dish and add cubed brioche bread.

Step 4: Pour the egg mixture, or custard, over the bread cubes in the prepared baking dish and gently mix until all pieces are coated.

Serve brioche baked French toast with a dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of pure maple syrup or simple syrup with brown sugar, and fresh fruit. A dollop of whipped cream makes this an even more decadent breakfast or brunch treat.

Expert Tips

After research, trial and error, and a full belly, this is what you need to know to make the best French toast casserole with brioche bread:

• Using dry, day-old bread is best for soaking overnight. Stale bread will absorb the custard mixture better than fresh slices. This is a great way to use up leftover bread!
• If you only have fresh bread, soak the bread in custard mixture for 30 minutes and bake right away. Or, pop the bread in the oven to dry out for a couple minutes so you can soak brioche overnight.
• Chop bread cubes the same size so they cook evenly. We prefer to chop bread into 1-inch cubes.
• Using room temperature ingredients will create a creamy custard that blends together without clumps.
• Whole milk and heavy cream give the custard its rich flavor and creamy texture. If you swap these ingredients for a non-dairy option, keep in mind that the final dish may not be as rich and creamy.

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days. This casserole tastes just as yummy the next day.

To reheat, microwave individual servings for 30 seconds to 1 minute. If you are reheating the whole casserole, place the baking dish in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.

Can I Freeze Brioche French Toast Casserole?

Yes! This breakfast casserole freezes well. Make the casserole in a freezer safe baking dish, like an aluminum foil pan. Let casserole cool completely before covering it with plastic wrap or foil. We like to wrap it in two layers for extra protection in the freezer. Freeze for up to 3 months.

When you're ready to eat, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Warm the casserole up in the oven, covered with foil, at 350°F for 30 minutes.